Information retrieval system

ABSTRACT

For location and extraction of any desired one of a number of cards or other sheetlike objects filed at random in an open-top enclosure, indentations and non-indentations of prescribed unit width are formed on the upper edge of each of such sheetlike objects in accordance with one of a set of code characters assigned thereto. A selector mechanism mounted on the open top of the enclosure for linear motion transversely of the sheetlike objects accommodated therein comprises a plurality of probing elements arranged in register respectively with the indentations and non-indentations of each sheetlike object, and manually operable means for selectively depressing the probing elements in accordance with the code character assigned to a desired one of the sheet-like objects. These sheetlike objects are then caused, perhaps magnetically, to tend to move upwardly against the depressed probing elements, with the result that only the desired sheetlike object is permitted to rise from among the other objects because the depressed probing elements are all received in the respective indentations of the desired sheetlike object.

United States Patent 1 Furuoka et al.

[4 1 Dec. 10, 1974 INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SYSTEM [75] Inventors: Masaru Furuoka; Hisao Ohki;

Koichi Tominaga; Tuguhiro Hara; Tetsuya' Ikeda, all of Tokyo, Japan [73] Assignee: Gakke'n Co., Ltd., Tokyoylapan [22] Filed: July 18, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 380,286

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 19, 1972 Japan ..4783225 Sept. 25, 1972 Japan ..47-95094 Sept. 16, 1972 Japan ..47l07817 I 52 U.S.Cl. ..209/80.5 [51] Int. Cl. B07c 3/20 [58] Field of Search 209/805, 110.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,524,545 8/1970 Doundoulakis 209/805 3,608,7l4 9/1971 Cox 209/80.5

Primary Examiner-Allen N. Knowles Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Irving M. Weiner [57] ABSTRACT For location and extraction of any desired one of a number of cards or other sheetlike objects filed at random in an open-top enclosure, indentations and nonindentations of prescribed unit width are formed on the upper edge of each of such sheetlike objects in accordance with one of a set of code characters assigned thereto. A selector mechanism mounted on the open top of the enclosure for linear motion transversely of the sheetlike objects accommodated therein comprises a plurality of probing elements arranged in register respectively with the indentations and non-indentations of each sheetlike object, and manually operable means for selectively depressing the probing elements in accordance with the code character assigned to a desired one of the sheet-like objects. These sheetlike objects are then caused, perhaps magnetically, to tend to move upwardly against the depressed probing elements, with the result that only the desired sheetlike object is permitted to rise from among the other objects because the depressed probing elements are all received in the respective indentations of the desired sheetlike object.

15 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PAIENTE; can 0 1914 sum 2 0f 6 PATENIH; mu: 1 01974 MEI-50F a FIG. 13

FIG. /4

FIG. 15)

1 INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to information retrieval systems, and in particular to asystem for locating and extracting a particular item from among a number of cards or other sheetlike objects.

Various systems have heretofore been developed for the purpose of ready reference to any particular item from a number of information-bearing cards or the like. Such cards are punched, or otherwise marked, either electrically or optically, in accordance with a set of code characters each consisting of a highly involved arrangement of code elements or bits. The location of a particular item in the cards is ascertained by reading their perforations or marks by mechanical, electrical and/ or optical means.

These types of systems are unsatisfactory in that (l) the code characters used are too complex, and (2) highly sophisticated means must be employed for reading the code characters from their respective cards. Accordingly, the conventional systems have generally been bulky and expensive. I

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the listed disadvantages of the prior art, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel and highly simplified information retrieval system adapted for locating any desired one of a number of sheetlike objects arranged at random.

Another object'of the invention is to provide an information retrieval system of the class referred to, which uses a set of very simple code characters such that a plurality of such sets can be easily arranged to provide any desired number of different combinations of the code characters which can then be assigned to the respective sheetlike objects.

Another object of the invention is to provide an information retrieval system of the class referred to, which is extremely simple in construction, compact, and operable by manually actuated means only, so that the manufacturing costscan be minimized.

A further object of the invention is to provide an information retrieval system of the class decribed, which is based on such simple principles that it can easily be operated by the uninitiated.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an information retrieval system which is applicable not only to cards but to envelopes and other sheetlike objects as well.

With these objects in view and the other objects here inafter set forth. this invention provides a system which, stated by way of a brief summary of the invention, includes a number of sheetlike objects each having indentations and non-indentations formed on one edge thereof in accordance with one of a set of code characters assigned thereto. Each code character consists of a particular arrangement of code elements not more than half of which corrrespon'd to the binary digit I while the other code elements correspond to the binary digit 0. The binary digit 1 is represented by each of the indentations, and the binary digit by each of the non-indentations, that are formed on the said one edge of each sheetlike object. I

Mounted on the open top of the enclosure for linear motion in a transverse direction with respect to the sheetlike objects accommodated therein is a selector mechanism comprising probing means and actuating means. The probing means includes a plurality of probing elements arranged in vertically registered relationship with the respective indentations and nonindentations on the upper edge of each of the sheetlike objects. The actuating means is manually operable, as by means of knurled knobs, for selectively depressing the probing elements in accordance with the code character assigned to each sheetlike objectsTIn relation from among the other sheet likeobjects by re2 1sor 1s of the depressed probing ele ments all being received in the respective indentations of the desired object.

To make the sheetlike objects move upwardly as above stated, the upper edges of the objects can be formed of magnetic material, and a magnet can be supported in a suitable manner at the bottom of the selector mechanism so as to attract the successive objects as the mechanism is moved linearly on the opentop enclosure.

The features which are believed to be novel and characteristic of this invention are set forth with particular ity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and mode of operation, together with the further objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of preferred embodiments read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view explanatory of the coding principles according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view explanatory of forming indentations and non-indentations on each sheetlike object in accordance with one of the code characters shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view explanatory of how the location of the card of FIG. 2 -is ascertained;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a card suitable for use with the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6' is a side elevational view of an envelope also suitable for use with the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along theplane of line VII-VII in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a selector mechanism shown in FIG. 4, the covering of the selector mechanism being removed to show its internal construction in detail;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the selector mechanism of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the plane of line XX in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken along the plane of line XI-XI in FIG. 8 and explanatory of how a desired sheetlike object is extracted;

FIG. 12 is a view explanatory of how a desired sheetlike object is located by the selector mechanism of FIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. l3 i a perspective view showing a possible embodiment of the system according to the invention;

FIG. I4 is a perspective view showing another possible mode of use of the system according to the invention; and

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the internal construction of the apparatus of FIG. 14.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The fundamental principles of this invention will now be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 1. The invention contemplates the use of a binary code which employs code elements of two distinct kinds or val- 15 ues corresponding to the digits l and O of the binary system. A particular arrangement of a plurality of such c ode elements, orbits, provides a ffcrgle charagt erl? For instance, four bits, two of which are always 1,

can be combined in six ways to represent six different code characters. Similarly, 20 different code characters can be represented by six bits, and thirty-five different code characters can be represented by seven bits.

mi e following disclosure of the invention, fiv

bit code characters are used to facilitate computations. The five bits can be arranged to form ten different code characterswhich in turn represent the respective digits of the decimal numbering system as set forth in FIG. 1. Further, if three such sets of fivebit code characters are combined, there can be obtained a total of one thousand code characters because 10 1,000. If four such sets of five-bit code characters are combined, there can be obtained a total of ten 35 thousand code characters because 10" I0,000.

Also, as illustrated in FIG. 1, cards or other sheetlike objects are indexed by indentations and nonindentions formed on one edge thereof in accordance with the code characters prepared as above explained. Each indentation A of prescribed width and depth represents a code element corresponding to the 1 binary digit 1, while each non-indentation B of width equal to that of each indentation A represents a code 45 element corresponding to the binary digit 0. Hence, in case two or three like code elements adjoin each other, there is formed an indentation or non-indentation of twice or thrice the prescribed unit width.

As shown more specifically in FIG. 2, the code char: acter 00101 corresponding to the decimal digit 0 can be represented on the edge 11 of a card by two indentations A of the unit width, one non-indentation B of the unit width, and one other non-indentation BB of twice the unit width. For representation ofa single fivebit code character, the card edge 11 should at least be five times as long as the unit width of each indentation provided, normally on the same level, above the indented edges of the cards. For locating the card 10, the probing elements 12-3 and 12-5, corresponding to the respective indentations A of that particular card, are depressed to an extent corresponding to,

the depth of each indentation. If now the cards, including the desired card 10, are caused to move upwardly against the depressed probing elements, only the card 10 will be permitted to rise by receiving the depressed probing elements 12-3 and 12-5 in its indentations A while the upward displacement of the other cards is prevented as the depressed probing elements contact their non-indentations B.

In case several sets of the five-bit code characters of FIG. 1 are t lsed in combination, a corfespo nding number of sets of the probing elements 12 'must be provided. For example, in case four sets of the fivebit code characters are used to provide ten thousand different combinations of such code characters, four sets of the probing elements 12 or a total of twenty probing elements must be provided to select a particular card from among ten thousand different indented cards. The length of the card edge 11 must be iricr eased as mo re and more sets of the code characters are used in combination. Thus, the number of the sets of the code characters for use must be determined in consideration of the size of each card and the total number of the cards intended for use.

FIG. 4 illustrates apparatus constructed in accordance with the above explained principles of the invention. A number of cards or other sheetlike objects are neatly accommodated in a substantially boxlike, open-top enclosure having a pair of projections 31 and 32 formed on both ends thereof for the sake of portability. A pair of guide grooves 33 and 34 extend longitudinally on the upper, inside edges of the enclosure 30 for guiding a selector mechanism 40 hereinafter described. In this embodiment it is assumed that ten thousand sheetlike objects 20 are housed in the hollow space of the enclosure.

Each of the sheetlike objects 20 may, for example, be in the form of a card 21 illustrated in FIG. 5. This card 21 has the above described indentations and nonindentations formed on its edge 22 to represent a combination of four five-bit code characters of FIG. 1. Accordingly, the index portion 23 of the card edge 22 is twenty times as long as the unit width of each indentatib n or no indentation formed thereon. This index portion 23 of the card is substantially integrally coveredwith ferromagnetic powder such as powdered iron by any of the techniques known inthe art, for purposes hereinafter set forth. Also as shown in FIG. 5, a pair of lugs 24 and 25 are formed laterally on both ends of the top edge 22 of each card for engaging steps 33 and 34 (see FIGS. 4 and 12) formed below the upper, inside longitudinal edges of the enclosure 30.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, each sheetlike object 20 can also be provided in the form of an envelope 26. Typically, such envelope can be formed by doubling a transparent sheet of rectangular shape, the openable edges of this transparent sheet being securely closed by an edge member of ferro-magnetic material. In this particular example of FIGS. 6and 7, the openable edges of the doubled transparent sheet are held by a thin iron sheetwhich also is folded in the middle as best seen in FIG. 7. A microfiche or a typical office letter can be contained within this envelope 26 for ready reference.

An index portion 27 consisting of several indentations and non-indentations is formed on the aforesaid iron sheet edge member. Preferably, the edge member including the index portion 27 should be suitably colored to improve the general appearance of such envelopes. It is to be well noted that the card and the envelope described above with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 are purely by way of example, and that other sheetlike objects of essentially equivalent form can be employed without departing from the scope of this invention.

The detailed construction of the above mentioned selector mechanism 40 will be best understood from FIGS. 8 to 10. FIG. 8isa top plan view showing the inner details of the mechanism by removing a cdv r 41, FIG. 4, therefrom. The framework or support structure of the mechanism, generally designated by the numeral 42, is of substantially rectangular shape and has a pair of side plates 44 and 45 on its opposite ends. A

shaft 43 supported at both ends thereof by the side plates 44 and 45 extends centrally through the framework 42, in a direction parallel to the sheetlike objects arranged within the enclosure 30.

As will be seen from the bottom plan view of FIG. 9, ridges 46 and 47 are formed on the bottom edges of the side plates 44 and 45. The frame 42 is of such length that the side plates 44 and 45 will rest exactly on the guide grooves 33 and 34 of the enclosure by having its ridges 46 and 47 slidably received therein. The selector mechanism 40 is thus slidably mounted on the enclosure for linear reciprocation along its guide grooves.

Since in the illustrated embodiment of the invention four sets of the five-bit code characters are used in combination as previously mentioned, the correspond- I ing number of identical actuating means 60, 70, 80 and 90 are mounted side by side on the shaft 43. The actuating means 60, for example, includes five disks 61 to 65 of equal diametermounted onthe shaft 43 so as to each time to depress the two coi'responding probing elements hereinafter described in further detail. Moreover, since two such projections must be provided for each of the ten different code characters, a total of twenty projections 66 are required on the disks 61 to 65 of the actuating means 60. These projections are arranged on the disks 61 to 65 in such a manner that each two cooperative projections on two different disks corresponds to one of the ten code characters- A dial 67 is substantially integrally coupled to the outermost disk of disks 61 to 65 in coaxial relationship therewith. This dial is of greater diameterthan each of the disks and,-as seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, is marked circumferentially with the equally spaced digits and the letter N which indicates a neutral posi tion where by no probing elements are depressed by the projections of the disks. A knob 68 of circular shape is further substantially integrally coupled to the dial 67,

also in coaxial relationship therewith. The knob 68 isof greater diameter than the dial 67 and isknurled as indicated by the numeral 69. All the aforementioned members of the actuating means can be conveniently molded of suitable synthetic resin.

The other three actuating meat 70, and are each constructed exactly like as the actuating means 60 set forth hereinbefore, and each of these other means is also mounted on the shaft 43 so as to be rotatable independently of the others. In FIG. 8 in particular, the corresponding constituent parts of all these actuating means 60, 70, 80 and 90 are designated by reference numbers the less significant digits of which are alike.

As seen in FIG. 4, the dials 67, 77, 87 and 97 and the knurled knobs 68, 78, 88 and 98 of the four actuating means areall partly exposed through windows 48 and 49, respectively, formed in the cover 41 of the selector mechanism.

Referring again to FIGS. 8 and 9, a stop is fixedly mounted. at 50 on the shaft 43 to prevent lateral displacement of the actuating means 60, 70, 80 and 90. Below the actuating means there are provided probing means 100, 110, and respectively. The probing means 100, for example, comprises a plurality of, five in this? n q ntt r h nssemens ntqms eac i in the shape of an elongated plate turnably supported at one end thereof by a shaft 51, as best shown in FIG. 10, which shaft extends parallel to the aforesaid shaft 43. These probing elements are provided below the respective disks of the actuating means 60 in exactly registered relationship therewith and also with the indentations and non-indentations of each of the sheetlike objects arranged within the enclosure 30. Each of the probing elements is resiliently urged upwardly against the corresponding disk by a spring 106, and is slidably received at both ends thereof in guide grooves 54 and 55 formed in frames 52 and 53 so that the vertical turning motion of each probing element is assured. Further,

each probing element is of such shape that its bottom edge will become exactly horizontal in its depressed position. Y

The other three'probing means 110, 120 and 130 are each of exactly the same construction as the above described probing means 100, and the corresponding constituent parts of all these probing means are designated in the drawings by reference numbers the least significant digits of which are alike. The probing means can also be conveniently molded of suitable synthetic resin.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and in more detail in FIG. 11, a magnet of annular shape having a central opening 151 is loosely mounted on the shaft 43. The magnet 150 is of greater diameter than the disks of the actuating means and is so supported by the shaft 43 that when the selector mechanism is mounted in position on the enclosure 30, the magnet will either contact or stand very close to the upper edges of the sheetlike objects contained therein. It must also be noted that the aforesaid probing elements also come very close to the upper edges of the sheetlike objects when depressed.

An extracting member extends backwardly from the bottom of the selector mechanism framework 42. The extracting member is securely coupled to the frame 53 adjacent its front end which is positioned sufficiently close to the bottom of the magnet 150, and the backwardly extending portion of the extracting member is slightly bent upwardly as best shown in FIG. 11.

The selector mechanism set forth hereinbefore is mounted on the enclosure 30 as shown in FIG. 4 or 12 for linear motion in its longitudinal direction, or in a transverse direction with respect to the sheetlike objects contained therein, as the ridges 46 and 47 of the selector mechanism side plates 44 and are slidably received in the guide grooves 33 and 34 of the enclosure. Thus, the selector mechanism will move over the indented upper edges of the sheetlike objects. The enclosure shown in FIG. 12 contains envelopes 26 described previously in relation with FIGS. 6 and 7, by way of example of such sheetlike objects.

As previously stated, the indentations and nonindentations are formed on the upper edge 27 of each of the envelopes in accordance with a particular combination of four five-bit code characters assigned thereto, so that each s qp rsaressnaanumbqr 9 fo fi ures. For locating and extracting an envelope from among a number of such envelopes, the knurled knobs 68, 78, 88 and 98 must first be turned manually so that the respective digits of the number assigned to that desired envelope will be seen through the windows 48 of the selector mechanism cover 41.

Since the disks of the actuating means 60, 70, and rotate with the respective knobs 68, 78, 88 and 98, the probing elements of the corresponding probing means 100, 110, and are selectively depressed against the springs 106 by the radial-projections of the disks. It will be understood that in this particular embodiment of the invention, two probing elements are selectively depressed from each of the four probing means as shown in FIG. 12. A total of eight thusdepressed probing elements correspond to the respective indentations of unit width formed on the ferromagnetic edge 27 of the desired envelope. I

The selector mechanism 40 is now caused manually to slide on the enclosure 30 in its predetermined forward direction. During this sliding motion of the selector mechanism, the annular magnet 150. rolls over or moves adjacent the upper edges of the successive envelopes along a path adjacent one of the lugs, 28, extending laterally from the upper edge of each envelope. By magnetic attraction thus exerted, the successive envelopes below the selector mechanism tend to move upwardly but are prevented from any substantial upward motion by the aforesaid eight depressed probing elements, except the desired envelope on which the indentations are formed in exact'agreement with the depressed probing elements, as will be seen from FIG. 12.

As the selector mechanism is moved further forward, the lug 28 of the thus-raised envelope will ride on the front end of the extracting member 160. With the continued forward motion of the selector mechanism, the desired envelope will be further raised out of the enclosure 30 as'its lug 28 slides over the upwardly bent rear portion of the extracting member, as best shown in FIG. 11.

The extracted envelope, upon retrieval of the desired information therefrom, may be returned to an arbitrary accidentally over the enclosure. While in the above described embodiment of the invention, the magnet is provided on one side only of the actuating means 60, 70, 80 and 90, it is of course possible to provide two such magnets on both sides of the actuating means. This alternative is particularly advantageous where many sets of the code characters are employed in combination considerably long and heavy envelopes or other sheetlike objects. i

FlGlTiilfis trates another preferred embodiment of the invention in which the sheetlike objects are arranged in an enclosure of construction similar to theenclosure 30 of FIG. 4. Enclosure 181) is neatly housed in the drawer 171 of filing cabinet structure 170 of conventional design. In this manner the sheetlike objects together with the selector mechanism can ordinarily be held closed within the filing cabinet structure. Alternatively, the sheetlike objects can be filed directly within the drawer 171 if this drawer is constructed similarly to the enclosure 30 of FIG. 4.

Illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 is a modification of the FIG. 13 embodiment, in which the several knobs and dials of the selector mechanism are partly exposed as indicated at 202 throughwindows 203 formed in a front panel fitted above the drawer 201 of filing cabinet structure 200. Each of the knobs is connected through intermediate gearing 205 to a gear 206 adapted for rotating each of the aforesaid actuating means of the selector mechanism, which is fixedly supported within the cabinet structure. The sheetlike objects are arranged within the drawer 201 slidable under the stationary selector mechanism, the drawer being constructed similarly to the enclosure QQ of FIG. 4,

To use, thekriobs202 are turned manually so that the-four-figure number assigned to a desired sheetlike object is exhibited by the adjacent dials. Then, simply by pulling out the drawer 201, the desired sheetlike object will be found raised by the extracting member 160 best illustrated in FIG. 11. It will be apparent from FIG. 14 that a plurality of such drawers, each complete with the knobs, dials, selector mechanism and so forth, can be accommodated in a single cabinet structure.

-While it-is believed that the various objects of the invention, either explicitly stated or otherwise set forth, are fully accomplished by the preferred embodiments herein disclosed, it will also be understood that such specifically recited embodiments are subject to various position within the enclosure 30; it can later be easily tracted even though the selector mechanism is moved modifications or changes within the usual knowledge of those skilled in the art. It is therefore appropriate that the invention be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the fair meaning or proper scope of the claims appended hereto. I

What is claimed is: 1. An information combination:

a number of sheetlike objects each having indentations and non-indentations formed on one edge thereof in accordance with one of a set of code characters assigned thereto, each of said code characters consisting of a particular arrangement of code elements not more than half of which correspond to the binary digit 1 while the other code elements correspond to the binary digit 0, each of said code elements which correspond to the binary digit 1 being represented by each of said indentations of prescribed unit width, and each of said retrieval system comprising, in

other code elements which correspond to the binary digit being represented by each of said nonindentations of the prescribed unit width;

an open-top enclosure for accommodating said sheetlike objects'in such a manner that said sheetlike objects are disposed vertically each with said one edge thereof directed upwardly;

selector means mounted on the open top of said enclosure for linear motion transversely of said sheetlike objects accomodated therein, said selector means comprising:

probing means including a plurality of probing elements arranged in register respectively with said indentations and non-indentations formed on said one edge of each of said sheetlike objects, said probing elements being individually movable between an upper and lower position and being normally held in said upper position, and

actuating means for selectively moving said probing elements to said lower position in accordance with the code character assigned to a desired one of said sheetlike objects, said actuating means comprising a plurality of disks rotatably supported above said probing elements respectively, each of said disks having a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial projections thereon, and means for manually turning said disks for selectively moving said probingelements to said lower position by said radial projections formed on said disks; and

means for causing said sheetlike objects to tend to move upwardly against the selected probing elements in said lower position in relation with the linear motion of said selector means, whereby only the desired sheetlike object is raised from among the other sheetlike objects as said selected probing elements are all received in the indentations of the desired sheetlike object.

2. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said probing elements i s in the form of an elongated plate turnably supported at one end thereof and extending transversely of said sheetlike objects accommodated in said open-top enclosure.

3. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for causing said sheetlike objects to tend to move upwardly in relation with the linear motion of said selector means includes a magnet supported by said selector means for exerting magnetic attraction to said sheetlike objects, at least the surface portion of at least part of said one edge of each of said sheetlike objects being formed of magnetic material.

4. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 3, wherein said magnet is of annular shape and is supported by a shaft extending through the central opening thereof with clearance whereby said magnet is permitted to roll over the upper edges of said sheetlike objects with the linear motion of said selector means.

5. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 1, further comprising extracting means adapted to facilitate extraction of theraised sheetlike object from within said open-top enclosure, said extracting means comprising an extracting member fixedly supported at the bottom of said selector means and including a rear- I wardly projecting portion which is bent upwardly, and

tor means is further moved in its forward direction on said open-top enclosure.

6. An information retrieval system comprising. in

combination:

a number of sheetlike objects each having indentations and non-indentations formed on one edge thereof in accordance with one of the combinations of a prescribed number of code characters corresponding to the respective digits of the decimal number system, each of said code characters consisting of a particular arrangement of five code elements two of which are the binary digit ,1 and the other three of which are the binary digit 0, said binary digit 1 being represented by each of said indentations of prescribed unit width, and said binary digit 0 being represented by each of said nonindentations of the prescribed unit width;

an open-top enclosure for accommodating said sheetlike objects in such a manner that said sheetlike objects are disposed vertically each with said one edge thereof directed upwardly;

selector means mounted on the open top of said enclosure for linear motion transversely of said sheetlike objects accommodated therein, said selector means comprising:

probing means including a plurality of sets of probing elements arranged in register respectively with said indentations and non-indentations formed on said one edge of each of said sheetlike objects, said sets of probing elements being provided correspondingly to the respective codecharacters of each of said sheetlike objects, and said probing elements of each set being individually movable between an upper and a lower position and being normally held in said upper position,-and

actuating means provided for each of said sets of probing elements for selectively moving the same to said lower position in accordance with the corresponding one of the code characters assigned to a desired one of said sheetlike objects;

means for causing said sheetlike objects to tend to move upwardly against the selected probing elements in said lower position in relation with the linear motion of said selector means, whereby only the desired sheetlike object is raised from among the other sheetlike objects as said selected probing elements are all received in the indentations ofthe desired sheetlike object; and

extracting means adapted to facilitate extraction of the raised sheetlike object from within said opentop enclosure, said extracting means comprising an extracting member fixedly supported at the bottom of said selector means and including a rearwardly projection portion which is bent upwardly, and a pair of lugs extending laterally from both ends of said one edge of each of said sheetlike objects, whereby one of said lugs formed on the raised sheetlike object is caused to ride on said extracting member as said selector means if further moved in its forward direction on said open-top enclosure.

7. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 6, e e n ea h fr a rdrwbin elsmsatL i ttheto of an elongated plate turnably supported at one end thereof and extending transversely of said sheetlike objects accommodated in said open-top-enclosure.

8. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 6, wherein said actuating means comprises a plurality of sets of disks rotatably supported above said sets of probing elements respectively, each of said disks having a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial projections thereon, and means for manually turning each of said sets of disks all together for selectively moving said probing elements of the corresponding set 'to said lower position by said radial projections formed on said disks.

9. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 8, wherein said means for manually turning said sets of disks includes a plurality of knobs coupled coaxially to the respective sets of disks for simultaneous rotation therewith.

10. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 9, further including a plurality of graduated dials rotatable with the respective knobs to exhibit the decimal digits of 'a number assigned to each of said sheetlike objects.

11. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 6, wherein said means for causing said sheetlike objects to tend to move upwardly in relation with the linear motion of said selector means includes a magnet supported by said selector means for exerting magnetic attraction to said sheetlike objects, at least the surface portion of at least part of said one edge of each of said sheetlike objects being formed of magnetic material.

12. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 11, wherein said magnet is of annular shape and is supported by a shaft extending through the central opening thereof with clearance whereby said magnet is permitted to roll over the upper edges of said sheetlike objects with the linear motion of said selector means.

13. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 6, wherein said open-top enclosure is in the form of a drawer slidably mounted in a cabinet structure, said selector'means being fixedly supported within said cabinet structure so as to permit said drawer to slide 15. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 6, wherein each of said sheetlike objects is an envelope adapted to hold an information-bearing sheet 

1. An information retrieval system comprising, in combination: a number of sheetlIke objects each having indentations and nonindentations formed on one edge thereof in accordance with one of a set of code characters assigned thereto, each of said code characters consisting of a particular arrangement of code elements not more than half of which correspond to the binary digit 1 while the other code elements correspond to the binary digit 0, each of said code elements which correspond to the binary digit 1 being represented by each of said indentations of prescribed unit width, and each of said other code elements which correspond to the binary digit 0 being represented by each of said non-indentations of the prescribed unit width; an open-top enclosure for accommodating said sheetlike objects in such a manner that said sheetlike objects are disposed vertically each with said one edge thereof directed upwardly; selector means mounted on the open top of said enclosure for linear motion transversely of said sheetlike objects accomodated therein, said selector means comprising: probing means including a plurality of probing elements arranged in register respectively with said indentations and nonindentations formed on said one edge of each of said sheetlike objects, said probing elements being individually movable between an upper and lower position and being normally held in said upper position, and actuating means for selectively moving said probing elements to said lower position in accordance with the code character assigned to a desired one of said sheetlike objects, said actuating means comprising a plurality of disks rotatably supported above said probing elements respectively, each of said disks having a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial projections thereon, and means for manually turning said disks for selectively moving said probing elements to said lower position by said radial projections formed on said disks; and means for causing said sheetlike objects to tend to move upwardly against the selected probing elements in said lower position in relation with the linear motion of said selector means, whereby only the desired sheetlike object is raised from among the other sheetlike objects as said selected probing elements are all received in the indentations of the desired sheetlike object.
 2. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said probing elements is in the form of an elongated plate turnably supported at one end thereof and extending transversely of said sheetlike objects accommodated in said open-top enclosure.
 3. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for causing said sheetlike objects to tend to move upwardly in relation with the linear motion of said selector means includes a magnet supported by said selector means for exerting magnetic attraction to said sheetlike objects, at least the surface portion of at least part of said one edge of each of said sheetlike objects being formed of magnetic material.
 4. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 3, wherein said magnet is of annular shape and is supported by a shaft extending through the central opening thereof with clearance whereby said magnet is permitted to roll over the upper edges of said sheetlike objects with the linear motion of said selector means.
 5. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 1, further comprising extracting means adapted to facilitate extraction of the raised sheetlike object from within said open-top enclosure, said extracting means comprising an extracting member fixedly supported at the bottom of said selector means and including a rearwardly projecting portion which is bent upwardly, and a pair of lugs extending laterally from both ends of said one edge of each of said sheetlike objects, whereby one of said lugs formed on the raised sheetlike object is caused to ride on said extracting member as said selector means is further moved in its forward direction on said open-top enclosure.
 6. An informAtion retrieval system comprising, in combination: a number of sheetlike objects each having indentations and non-indentations formed on one edge thereof in accordance with one of the combinations of a prescribed number of code characters corresponding to the respective digits of the decimal number system, each of said code characters consisting of a particular arrangement of five code elements two of which are the binary digit 1 and the other three of which are the binary digit 0, said binary digit 1 being represented by each of said indentations of prescribed unit width, and said binary digit 0 being represented by each of said non-indentations of the prescribed unit width; an open-top enclosure for accommodating said sheetlike objects in such a manner that said sheetlike objects are disposed vertically each with said one edge thereof directed upwardly; selector means mounted on the open top of said enclosure for linear motion transversely of said sheetlike objects accommodated therein, said selector means comprising: probing means including a plurality of sets of probing elements arranged in register respectively with said indentations and non-indentations formed on said one edge of each of said sheetlike objects, said sets of probing elements being provided correspondingly to the respective code characters of each of said sheetlike objects, and said probing elements of each set being individually movable between an upper and a lower position and being normally held in said upper position, and actuating means provided for each of said sets of probing elements for selectively moving the same to said lower position in accordance with the corresponding one of the code characters assigned to a desired one of said sheetlike objects; means for causing said sheetlike objects to tend to move upwardly against the selected probing elements in said lower position in relation with the linear motion of said selector means, whereby only the desired sheetlike object is raised from among the other sheetlike objects as said selected probing elements are all received in the indentations of the desired sheetlike object; and extracting means adapted to facilitate extraction of the raised sheetlike object from within said open-top enclosure, said extracting means comprising an extracting member fixedly supported at the bottom of said selector means and including a rearwardly projection portion which is bent upwardly, and a pair of lugs extending laterally from both ends of said one edge of each of said sheetlike objects, whereby one of said lugs formed on the raised sheetlike object is caused to ride on said extracting member as said selector means if further moved in its forward direction on said open-top enclosure.
 7. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 6, wherein each of said probing elements is in the form of an elongate plate turnably supported at one end thereof and extending transversely of said sheetlike objects accommodated in said open-top enclosure.
 8. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 6, wherein said actuating means comprises a plurality of sets of disks rotatably supported above said sets of probing elements respectively, each of said disks having a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial projections thereon, and means for manually turning each of said sets of disks all together for selectively moving said probing elements of the corresponding set to said lower position by said radial projections formed on said disks.
 9. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 8, wherein said means for manually turning said sets of disks includes a plurality of knobs coupled coaxially to the respective sets of disks for simultaneous rotation therewith.
 10. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 9, further including a plurality of graduated dials rotatable with the respective knobs to exhibit the decimal digits of a number assigned to each of said sheetlike objects.
 11. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 6, wherein said means for causing said sheetlike objects to tend to move upwardly in relation with the linear motion of said selector means includes a magnet supported by said selector means for exerting magnetic attraction to said sheetlike objects, at least the surface portion of at least part of said one edge of each of said sheetlike objects being formed of magnetic material.
 12. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 11, wherein said magnet is of annular shape and is supported by a shaft extending through the central opening thereof with clearance whereby said magnet is permitted to roll over the upper edges of said sheetlike objects with the linear motion of said selector means.
 13. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 6, wherein said open-top enclosure is in the form of a drawer slidably mounted in a cabinet structure, said selector means being fixedly supported within said cabinet structure so as to permit said drawer to slide thereunder.
 14. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said sheetlike objects is a card.
 15. An information retrieval system as recited in claim 6, wherein each of said sheetlike objects is an envelope adapted to hold an information-bearing sheet therein. 